Ghad, these things are hard to write. I have nothing but profound respect for novel authors. It takes a lot more than a vivid imagination. It takes diligence, organization and very creative thought.

There is an interesting history to “We’ll Gather at Ruapehu.”

The story precis dates back to 1983, before I submitted it to the producers of “Star Trek: The Next Generation”. It wasn’t until September 1988 that I pitched the idea, through my agent, Jim Clymer, Lancaster, to Maurice Hurley of Paramount Studios. Late in September 1988, I received a call from creative consultant (then) and soon-to-be story editor Tracy Torme (singer Mel Torme’s son and, eventually, executive producer of “Sliders”) about visiting with Paramount and possibly serving as a creative consultant.

My story precis got rejected officially by Paramount on March 13, 1989. I have the original rejection letter by Melinda Snodgrass, script editor at the time.

However, Tracy called me and liked the fact that I had something going with the story and was a lifelong fan of Trek. Perhaps I could work with them, if I visited LA.

Amazing, huh? No, I am not making this up: I could have been a contributing writer to “Star Trek: The Next Generation” if only the circumstances were better. Which they weren’t. But that’s another story.

I won’t reveal the plot for “Ruapehu.” But I have composed a cast of characters (if you are interested, email me at AndyAndrews@verizon.net and I will send that to you) with my selection the actors to portray them, should a revival of ST:TNG ever come to fruition (perhaps made-for-TV movie? Come on, Tracy, where are you now?)

How did it eventually arrive on paper?

Disgusted with the lousy “Star Trek” films and discouraged since “Star Trek” ended its TV appearances in 2005, I rented some “Next Generation” DVDs from the library. I really missed ST:TNG.

So I came up with what I thought would be a really neat episode. It was great to create an episode I’ve never seen.

I’ve always thought of Trek from religious terms: really, the best episodes have an almost religious feel to them, going back to “Star Trek: The Original Series” (“Bread and Circuses” comes to mind).

It took some time to write my own ST:TNG script from its beginning on Oct. 13, 2012 through 2013. I finished the plot outline on Father’s Day, June 15, 2014. But it took another three years to complete.